Florida FFA building its headquarters in Gainesville

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 5:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 5:36 p.m.

The Florida FFA Association plans to build a new $1.5 million headquarters building on the campus of the Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville.

Florida Farm Bureau spokesman G.B. Crawford said the 6,000-square-foot building will include an auditorium, conference, rooms, office space and storage areas for the FFA, formerly Future Farmers of America. The plan is to complete the building next year, he said.

Most of the construction will be funded by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the Florida Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance company, the Farm Bureau said in a news release. Individuals, businesses and private organizations will contribute $150,000 of the cost.

Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick announced the funding partnership at the 85th annual FFA Convention in Orlando on Thursday.

""We have always supported leadership development programs for young people. We have also enjoyed a long and productive association with our FFA partners," Hoblick said in his address.

"We want to continue the tradition of creating opportunities for our very capable FFA members. I know that the new headquarters will be a vital resource for many decades into the future. This structure will stand as a permanent demonstration of our shared commitment to youth education and the quest for success."

The FFA Association has been leasing 1,600 square feet of office space in the Farm Bureau building at 5700 SW 34th St.

FFA officials were at the convention and could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

The Florida FFA Association provides resources and support to more than 300 local FFA chapters with more than 15,000 middle and high school student members. FFA members are enrolled in agricultural education programs at their schools.

<p>The Florida FFA Association plans to build a new $1.5 million headquarters building on the campus of the Florida Farm Bureau in Gainesville.</p><p>Florida Farm Bureau spokesman G.B. Crawford said the 6,000-square-foot building will include an auditorium, conference, rooms, office space and storage areas for the FFA, formerly Future Farmers of America. The plan is to complete the building next year, he said.</p><p>Most of the construction will be funded by the Florida Farm Bureau Federation and the Florida Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance company, the Farm Bureau said in a news release. Individuals, businesses and private organizations will contribute $150,000 of the cost.</p><p>Florida Farm Bureau President John Hoblick announced the funding partnership at the 85th annual FFA Convention in Orlando on Thursday.</p><p>""We have always supported leadership development programs for young people. We have also enjoyed a long and productive association with our FFA partners," Hoblick said in his address.</p><p>"We want to continue the tradition of creating opportunities for our very capable FFA members. I know that the new headquarters will be a vital resource for many decades into the future. This structure will stand as a permanent demonstration of our shared commitment to youth education and the quest for success."</p><p>The FFA Association has been leasing 1,600 square feet of office space in the Farm Bureau building at 5700 SW 34th St.</p><p>FFA officials were at the convention and could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.</p><p>The Florida FFA Association provides resources and support to more than 300 local FFA chapters with more than 15,000 middle and high school student members. FFA members are enrolled in agricultural education programs at their schools.</p>